Jon Cook

Jon Cook is one of advertising's most influential creative network leaders, currently serving as the head of WPP Creative and CEO of VML, the mega-agency formed in 2023 through the merger of VMLY&R and Wunderman Thompson. The combined entity is among the largest creative agencies in the world, with tens of thousands of employees across more than 60 countries. Cook has been instrumental in shaping the strategic vision of the merged network, positioning VML at the intersection of creativity, technology, and commerce. Cook spent the bulk of his career rising through the ranks of VML — the Kansas City-founded digital agency that grew from a scrappy interactive shop into a global powerhouse. He became CEO of VML in 2014 and guided the agency through its merger with Y&R to form VMLY&R in 2018, continuing as global CEO of that entity. His leadership style is widely recognized for fostering a culture of creative ambition paired with data-driven thinking, helping the agency win and retain major global clients including Ford, Wendy's, Colgate-Palmolive, and Pfizer. A long-tenured WPP operator, Cook has been a key architect of WPP's strategy to consolidate its creative assets into fewer, larger, more integrated networks. His elevation to lead WPP Creative alongside VML reflects the holding company's confidence in his ability to drive creative excellence and commercial growth at scale across the broader portfolio.

Last updated Oct 7, 2026 by ATDb automated enrichment